The closure of Epworth Geelong’s maternity unit is a very dark day for our community.
I want to thank the magnificent midwives, nurses, doctors, specialists, and families who fought so hard to keep the maternity unit open. I was honoured to join the fight along with local Liberal MPs Richard Riordan and Bev McArthur.
With the news that St John of God is reducing its special care nursery services, albeit on a temporary basis, the Geelong region is now suffering from an acute reduction in maternity and neonatal services.
I condemn local Labor MPs particularly Corio MP, Richard Marles, and Corangamite MP, Libby Coker, who disgracefully turned their backs on this vital health service for women and babies.
It is deeply disappointing that the Andrews Labor Government has not provided our community with details about the proposed Barwon Women’s and Children’s facility which is not scheduled for completion until 2029, at the earliest. Despite me requesting this information several months ago, we still do not know the number of additional public maternity beds and birthing suites to be delivered. This is not good enough.
I call on the Victorian Government to come clean and provide our community with information about vital health services that we deserve.